“Some choices we live not only once but a thousand times over, remembering them for the rest of our lives.” Richard Bach (1936, info link)
Do you know how much carbon monoxide you breathe every day? Is it important enough to know how much your family members or employees or customers or tenants are exposed to?
Carbon monoxide is easy to measure, and it is easy to find accurate testing devices. The reference to quantity of carbon monoxide in air is expressed as PPM, or parts per million. Out of a million molecules of air, how many molecules or “parts” are there that are carbon monoxide?
With the function of an acid based electrochemical sensor and a battery powered, hand-held or wall mounted device with a digital display, you can monitor the measurement that is occurring. The action of CO molecules on these sensors generate electrical currents that are measured, converted and then displayed in/as PPM. Some of these devices require periodic calibration with a certified, known quantity of carbon monoxide, as specified by the sensor or instrument manufacturer.
There are low level CO alarms available that can be field checked with certified carbon monoxide gas, just as the professional, instant response instruments can. I just field checked 10 hand held test instruments and 3 carbon monoxide alarms during a full day training program in the Chicago area.
The inexpensive, wall mounted CO alarms that protect you from high levels of CO, do not come with instructions to have them calibrated. The test they do describe and recommend is to ensure the audible alarm has power. Some of them also have a "peak" concentration function.
Every user of the U.L. 2034 Listed CO alarm is advised to carefully examine the instructions and know at what PPM concentration the audible alarm is to sound. These may be listed as “test points” or an indication that “This alarm meets response time requirements as follows: At 70 ppm, unit must alarm within 60-240 min. At 150 ppm, unit must alarm within 10-50 min. At 400 ppm, unit must alarm within 4-15 min.”
Here we are presented with another choice. If fire and emergency response units begin weaing breathing apparatus and begin civilian evacuations under 30 PPM of carbon monoxide, wouldn’t you think those would be good levels to be alerted to?
Do I know how much carbon monoxide I am in right now?
Yes I do; 00 PPM. (And, the CO2 level currently is 603 PPM with 3 people in my office.) Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News links
Family of 6 suffers carbon monoxide poisoning
Northwest Cable News
The mom, dad and their three young kids and an uncle started feeling nauseated and getting headaches at about the time their carbon monoxide alarms went off, according to Brandon Paxton with the Clackamas Fire District. Mom Elizabeth Brown said the ...
Carbon monoxide accident averted
Delaware County Daily Times
CHESTER HEIGHTS — The lack of a carbon monoxide detector nearly cost a borough family their lives last month, but all is now well, thanks to a timely visit from a family member. According to Chester Heights Fire Marshal Michael Ciocco, three residents ...
Warning over poisonous gas
This Is Sussex
Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. This highly poisonous gas cannot be seen, tasted or smelt but can kill quickly with no warning. Jonathon Davies, from Swan Property ...
Warsash chimney sweep backs fire safety call
Gazette Daily
The Cleaner Chimneys owner, who in the past two years has swept more than 1,000 chimneys in the Western Wards area, has urged residents to be aware how easily fires or carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused when flues are not regularly swept.
Lauren Project earns two grants for carbon monoxide detectors
The Coloradoan
Carbon monoxide detector giveaways are coming to Greeley and Loveland, thanks to the efforts of a determined Windsor group. The Lauren Project has received two grants to purchase carbon monoxide detectors that will be distributed to participants Sept. 28 at Project Connect in Greeley.
· Heart Rescue Now This link takes you to a very short video that is a practical demonstration on the proper usage of an AED. This video is tastefully done & demonstrates the step-by-step way one might be able to save a life.
· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.
Carbon Monoxide Survivor
A website made by poisoning survivors that brings a view that can only come from those that know what it is like to have been poisoned - as well as live with the long term impact.
· Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.
National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-five U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia
Google Maps to reference the locations referenced in these Internet headlines.
The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
